Potato-separator.



G. E. LUOE.

POTATO SEPARATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED APB.B,1913.

Patented N0v.18,1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ATTORNEYS G. E. LUGE.

POTATO SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APB-.8, 1913. 1,079,181

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA rumour" co.. wjxsnlmrtm. D. c:v

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GEORGE E. LUCE, 0F BIVERHEAD, NEW YORK.

POTATO-SEPARATOR.

notaisi.

To all 1071 0m it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoncn E. lmon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Riverhead, in the county of Suffolk and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Potato-Separator, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in potato separators, and has for an object to provide an improved structure which will separate the potatoes into a plurality of grades, and at the same time shake out or remove the dirt and dust.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved shaking separating device for the potatoes and the like, which may be continuously operated and caused to discharge at different points different sized potatoes.

In carrying out the objects of the invention, a supporting frame of any desired kind is provided, designed to carry a reciprocating and substantially rocking cradle structure in which is positioned a sieve or separating member. This sieve or separating member is provided with apertures for permitting potatoes of a certain size to pass therethrough and causing the larger potatoes to be guided to a certain discharge point arranged at one end thereof. Arranged below the reciprocating separator member is a screen designed to receive the smaller potatoes and to allow the dirt to pass directly to the bottom of the frame and to guide the potatoes to a predetermined discharge point.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side view of a potato separater embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a section through Fig. 1 on the line 2-2; Fig. 3 is a section through Fig. 1 on the line 3-3; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the reciprocating and rocking cradle; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical central section through the structure shown in Fig. 5. r 1

Referring to the accompanying" drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a frame provided Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 8. 1913.

atcnted Nov. 18, 1913. Serial No. 759,636.

with any desired number of supporting legs and bracing cross pieces. Connected with the upper part of the frame 1 is a boxing or housing 2, adapted to receive pivotal bolts 3 (Fig. 5), on which are hinged the links 1 (Figs. 4; and 6). The links 4- are pivotally connected with a cradle 53 so that when the cradle 5 is moved back and forth it will be given a rocking motion within the limits of the throw of links 4-. At the front end of the cradle 5 is arranged a bar 6 which extends through the sides of the cradle and acts as journal members for the links 1 at that end. The bar (5 also acts as a support and stop for the separator or sieve structure 7. The sieve 7 is provided with a depending cross piece 8 which is hooked over bar (5 in order to positively hold the sieve 7 in position and against any substantial longitudinal movement independent of the cradle 5. As clearly shown in I ig. 6 the cross piece 8 snugly fits between bar 6 and the cross piece F). The cross piece 9 is rigidly secured to the sides of the cradle 5 and carries brackets 10 in which is pivotally mounted a pitman 11 connected with a suitable crank 12 actuated by a sprocket wheel 13, the sprocket wheel 13 being in turn actuated by a chain 14 which passes over a driving sprocket 15. The sprocket 15 is designed to be rotated by a suitable handle or crank lever 16, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The end of cradle 5 opposite bar 9 is provided with a cross brace 17 which is adapted to act as a support for the end of the sieve 7.

In respectto the sieve 7, the same is formed of any desired material, as for instance wood, and is provided with a plurality of apertures 21 beveled from the upper surface dmvnwardly in a flaring or outward direction so that clogging or stopping of the apertures by any potato will be reduced to a minimum. In order that none of the potatoes will be given an opportunity to wedge in place, a plurality of beads 18 are arrangcd on the upper surface of the sieve but held stationary while the sieve is moved back and forth. These beads are preferably formed rectangular in cross section and of such a size as to slightly overlap, or at the most be arranged flush with the edge of the apertures, as shown in Fig. 5, so that in case a potato attelupts to wedge or clog; the aperture, the same will be en- *trally so as to have a is also preferably inclined to one side, as.

gaged by two of the beads and loosened. A plurality of guiding strips 33 are connected with the sieve, through which the beads 18 project so that the same will be properly held in place. The ends of the beads 18 opposite the ends passing through the guides 33 are rigidly secured to a cross strip 34: which is mortised into or halved into the beads 18, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the upper edge of the cross piece 3% will be flush with the upper edge of the beads 18. The rear of the hopper 32 is spaced above the cross bar 9 a sufficient distance to allow the beads to extend therethrough and allow cross bar 34C to be moved back and forth therethrough when applying and removing. One or more bolts 35 are provided for clamping cross bar 3% and beads 18 against movement. The beads 18 will not reinforce to any extent the sieve 7 but arranged on the bottom of the. sieve 7 opposite beads 18 are a plurality of beads 19 rigidly secured in place and co-acting with cross strips 20 for bracing and reinforcing the sieve.

Arranged to project beneath the end of the sieve 7 is a discharge board 22 provided with notches 23 and -24. arranged to accommodate suitable bags 25. Gne or more hooks 26 are provided for each of the notches 23 and 24 for engaging the bags 25 when arranged adjacent thereto. A pair of swinging supporting arms 27 are provided,formed with hooked ends 28 for engaging and sup porting the outer edge of the bag, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, when the same is in positic-n. In order to direct all of the potatoes to a given bag, a pivotally mounted guard 28 is provided, pivoted at 29 so that the end 30 will swing from one side of the sieve 7 to the other. This will allow the bags to be alternately filled in the notches 23 and 2a, and also allow the continuous operation of the machine while changing bags. It will be evident that the larger potatoes will pass over the discharge member 22 and that the smaller potatoes will pass through the ap ertures 21 and drop upon the wire mesh 31. The wire mesh 31 is preferably bowed cenr central discharge and shown in Fig. 3 so that the potatoes will a be discharged at a certain point adjacent one side of the device. By providing the sup port 31 of wire mesh or similar material, the dirt is allowed to flow through on to the ground, while the potatoes are guided to a proper receptacle. The hopper 32 dis charges directly upon the forward end of the sieve which is preferably not provided with apertures. The movement of the sieve 7 and the immovably arranged beads 18 will cause the potatoes to properly feed toward the discharge end of the sieve, the sieve and associated parts being preferably slightly inclined.

In operation when it is desired to clean and separate a batch of potatoes, all that is necessary is to place the potatoes in the hopper 32 and to'oper-ate crank or handle 16, whereupon the cradle 5 will be rocked'and moved back and forth in a substantially reciprocatory manner and thus shake the sieve 7 The sieve 7 is set at an incline of any desired degree and by reason of the shaking the potatoes will move down to the discharge end of the sieve and from thence into bag 25, or if the same are small will drop through aperture 21 and be caused to move by gravity to the discharge side of the wire mesh 31.

The separator has been described in respect to separating potatoes, but it will be evident that the same may be used for various other purposes so that the expression potato separator is intended to cover any use to which the mechanism may be put.

Having thus described my invention 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent r 1. In a separator of the class described, a supporting frame, a sieve arranged in said supporting frame formed with a plurality of apertures, a plurality of longitudinally arranged stationary beads separating said apertures into rows whereby material passing over said sieve will be caused to move in a line over a row of apertures, and means for moving in a back and forth. direction said sieve said beads remaining stationary.

2. In a separator of the class described, a supporting frame, a sieve arranged in said supporting frame, a discharge member arranged adjacent the sieve, said discharge with a central projection and a pair of sub stantial side notches, means pivotally mounted on said central projection designed to be swung from one position to the other for guiding matter from said sieve to the respective notches, and means for supporting a receptacle adjacent each of said notches.

3. In a separator of the class described, a frame, a reciprocating sieve arranged on said frame formed with a plurality of rows of apertures, a guiding loop arranged. opposite the space between each row of apertures, a bar slidingly fitting against said sieve in the space between saidapertures, said bar projecting through said guiding loops,

and a clamping member for rigidly clampdischarge end of said member being formed rectangular in cross section, means inclosing one end of each of said beads for holding the same in contact with the sieve,

means secured at the opposite ends of said name to this specification in the presence of beads for holding the same stationary whlle two subscribing wltnesses. the sleve moves back and forth, means for guiding matter to one end of said sieve, GEORGE LUGE' 5 and means for directing matter passing WVitnesses:

from said sieve to a discharge point. ORvIs HALsEY LUCE,

In testimony whereof I have signed my VVINNIFRED LEONE LUoE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

